Dolphins (8-4) at Chargers (6-6), Sunday, 8:20 p.m., NBC, SoFi Stadium
Latest line: Dolphins are favored by 3 factors.
Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist (Season report: 9-3): Dolphins 33, Chargers 20
This is an effective sport for the Dolphins to get again to their id after their disappointing loss to San Francisco. The Chargers have the Thirtieth-ranked protection and accidents throughout their offense. This three-game highway journey has a donut-sized gap within the center and the Dolphins have proven they care for struggling groups.
Chris Perkins, Dolphins Columnist (Season report: 7-5): Dolphins 24, Chargers 21
This is a giant sport. The Dolphins aren’t simply taking part in for a playoff berth, they’re preventing for the AFC East title and probably the No. 1 seed, so each victory is essential, particularly in opposition to lower-tier groups such because the 6-6 Chargers. The Dolphins’ offense has struggled in opposition to good defenses, however the Chargers rank close to the underside in a number of defensive classes. They are twenty ninth in dashing protection, permitting 151.6 yards per sport.
David Furones, Dolphins Writer (Season report: 10-2): Dolphins 31, Chargers 27
Tua Tagovailoa, whose, ankle ought to be wonderful, is aware of he wasn’t good in opposition to the 49ers and will probably be decided to appropriate his misfires for a bounce-back effort in opposition to a nasty protection. Maybe the run sport may get again on monitor in opposition to the Chargers’ run protection that’s worst in yards per try. The Dolphins’ protection has struggled on the highway, however Tagovailoa ought to outperform Justin Herbert in what could quantity to a shootout in prime time.
Kathy Laughlin, Sports Editor (Season report: 10-2): Dolphins 24, Chargers 20
On paper, this shouldn’t be in query: The 8-4 Dolphins in opposition to the 6-6 Chargers. However, the Dolphins’ confidence was shaken in final week’s loss to the 49ers, particularly Tua Tagovailoa’s confidence. Speaking of the quarterback, what concerning the ankle damage that stored him from ending the sport? And Miami is on the highway. And the Chargers even have a superb quarterback, Justin Herbet, who could make issues occur. A pair nice Herbert throws, and this might slip away. The Dolphins ought to be capable of push previous, although.
Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor (Season report: 8-4): Dolphins 23, Chargers 20
The Dolphins look to bolster their playoff probabilities, whereas the Chargers hope to remain alive within the AFC Wild Card race. All eyes will probably be on quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and the Chargers’ Justin Herbert, the No. 5 and No. 6 picks, respectively, within the 2020 NFL draft. Simply put, Tagovailoa has extra expertise round him. While Miami struggled in opposition to San Francisco’s top-ranked protection, the Chargers pose no such drawback. Los Angeles is thought for giving up explosive performs, permitting an NFL-high 13 touchdowns of 20 yards or extra.
Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor (Season report: 9-3): Dolphins 20, Chargers 19
The Chargers have been racked with accidents. Last week, they had been with out 4 gamers who made the 2021 Pro Bowl (DE Joey Bosa, CB JC Jackson, C Corey Linsley and LT Rashawn Slater). All however Linsley are on injured reserve. The Dolphins’ move rush is one facet (together with crew MVP Tyreek Hill) that maintained its excessive stage whereas going up in weight class in opposition to the 49ers, and I anticipate that to be the distinction on this one. Justin Herbert is a top-5 quarterback, however on this tattered crew, he appears lots like 1986-89 Dan Marino. Those years, Miami went 29-31 in non-strike video games, however would have been lucky to seize even a dozen victories with out Marino.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com
